Highlands and Islands Airports Limited

Airports in the north and west of Scotland are on track to record their seventh consecutive year of growth, according to passenger figures released today by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

HIAL saw 585,000 passengers use its 10 airports in the five months to the end of August, a 6% increase on the same period last year. Aircraft movements for the past five months totalled 47,000.

Increases to the frequency of scheduled flights, new routes and the introduction of the Scottish Executive’s Air Discount Scheme in May 2006 have all contributed to passenger growth across the region’s air network, according to HIAL.

HIAL’s airports handled a record 1,233,000 passengers in 2006/07, a figure which now looks set to be broken in the year ending March 2008. Between 1999 and 2007, annual passenger numbers at HIAL’s airports have increased by 58%.

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL said: “This year’s performance demonstrates continuing demand for air services in the region for business and leisure travel. The enhancements to the air network achieved in conjunction with our airline partners in recent years continue to stimulate traffic.

“Economic and community development in our region is heavily dependent upon effective transport links. We are therefore focussing upon maintaining existing connectivity and developing new air connections where this is achievable.”